Northumbria Police officer sacked for watching porn on work computer

A Northumbria Police officer has been sacked for watching porn on a force computer, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

The unnamed officer is one of 47 from the force to be investigated over breaching rules on computer use.

In total, 69 officers from across the North East have investigated since 2012.

Accessing computer systems for non-police or personal use was the most common breach.

Three officers in total from Northumbria Police were sacked – one in relation to watching pornography, and two dismissed without notice after disciplinary hearings relating over the misuse of the Northumbria Police Computerised Information System (NPCIS).

Another four officers resigned, one was investigated in relation to inappropriate Facebook comments and two in relation to misuse of the NPCIS.

Deputy Chief Constable Witon Keened, of Northumbria Police, said: “Together with the public, Northumbria Police demands the highest level of professional conduct and integrity from its officers.

“It is disappointing that a small number of our officers have not upheld the high standards we expect and as a result have been issued with a range of sanctions, including where appropriate, dismissal from the force.”